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New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species
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This report and set of recommendations was produced pursuant to New Jersey Executive Order
#97 which created the New Jersey Invasive Species Council with the charge of completing a
comprehensive invasive species management plan for the State of New Jersey.
New Jersey has abundant biodiversity, natural resources and agricultural resources that are
highly worth protecting for our citizens, both present and future. Seventy percent of our state
consists of agricultural lands and natural habitats. A snapshot of our wealth includes 850,000
acres of agricultural lands, 2.1 million acres of forest cover, 52 globally rare and federally listed
species and over 2,100 species of native plants (including 55 species of orchids, which is more
than Hawaii). These natural resources provide ecosystem goods (e.g., agricultural commodities,
timber, fish) and services (e.g., flood control, carbon sequestration), the combined value of
which is estimated at $20 billion per year. Wildlife-related tourism is estimated to provide an
additional $3 billion per year of gross economic activity. However, our natural and agricultural
resources are being damaged by non-native, invasive species which are transforming our
resources in undesirable ways. These animals, plants and pathogens are pervasive throughout
the state, are steadily increasing in abundance and numbers of species, and already are imposing
a significant cost to the public and private sectors. Further damage to our State’s economy and
ecology is inevitable if New Jersey does not take a proactive role toward managing invasive
species.
Michael Van Clef, Ph.D. - Personal Name
NONE
New Jersey Strategic Management Plan for Invasive Species
Management
English
2008
1-220
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